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disability app

Hi guys (in a non-generic way)
I handed in my disability forms into Centrelink today. They've made an appointment for next week (or a fortnight, shyt, I've forgotten already! lol) I need to get all my records because my GP is unwilling to fill out the forms without prior proof of my RA dx, (why she can't fill it out based on my health over the last 2yrs alone I DO NOt KNOW grrr) unfortunately, I've never been one for seeing doctors much over the years unless I was incapacitated completely. I haven't had the need for cortisone injections for years (after retraining and changing industries), and other issues like tiredness, headaches, nausea were put down to depression or anxiety or an unhealthy diet or raising a special needs child. I remember one doctor telling me, when I complained that I was always tired and just couldn't get out of bed, to set my alarm at 8am and just get up. Another told me oh, you have sciatica, scribbled it on a piece of paper and told me to google it. Neither made a note of it in my records. Anyway, my problem is all my RA specific records have been destroyed, my old gp, my rhuemy, even my bone scans no longer exist. And I'm on a time frame, I can feel my self getting better, its been the worse 6months of my life health wise but I I've been able to stay awake more during the day for the last few days, and I actually held a social conversation without totally embarrassing myself by trailing off midsentence cause I'd forgotten what I was saying. I don't want to be strutting in feeling fine while I apply for a disability payment, its bad enough being 36 (lookin 29 ; P) with a cane. But I also want to jump about and and dance in the sunlight if I can, not exaggerate or slow down for fear that someone will judge me well and take away the money I desperately need; i just feed my kids muesli for dinner !! While I was in the waiting room today, a mother and her daughter were staring at me then preceded to discuss loudly how perfectly healthy people are abusing the system and applying for disability, how rippoffs grab a cane and hobble a bit so they can sit on their arse all day instead of putting in a decent hard days work. I was the only one there with a cane while they had their 'discussion', and I couldn't say anything because I could feel the tears welling up and I already felt embarrassed and awful about reaching the point of applying and people already stare enough. ... And I think this post is all over the place, lol sorry, i dunno, just need.... advice maybe, a hug definitely... surprise me

Last edited by sonmak; 08-03-2011 at 05:18 AM.
Reason: note to self: the odd swear word is not just Aussie slang (Sorry if offended)

First off all, I can't understand how it is possible that a so called doctor, can distroy all your records, that is crazy.
I am very sorry, that you had to listen to these very rude people disgussing your right to apply for disability. They don't know sh.t, just ignore them.
Maybe you have to start from scratch, find a rheumy who will record everything and go from there. I am thinking, that you will need a doctor to offically diagnose you with RA and go from there.
Good luck to you.

Debbie

I may have been dealt a bad hand, but at least I'm still playing with a full deck. ( most of the time anyway).

!!!!
OMG!
What complete butts! I would say something else but we're not allowed to swear D:

That's horrible... I would've given them a piece of my mind! Ignorant ...ehem.
Okay, lets be honest, i would've been too shy to say something. BUT, it would have bugged me for days, i would have at least *pretended* to have told them off...hehe.

Okay, seriously though, why do so many doctors suck? That's complete...uh...cowpoop. You deserve, and most likely NEED disability. Some people can keep pushing on without it, but let's be honest here, that harms their health too.
So so horrible I hope things work out for you soon..

First off all, I can't understand how it is possible that a so called doctor, can distroy all your records, that is crazy.
I am very sorry, that you had to listen to these very rude people disgussing your right to apply for disability. They don't know sh.t, just ignore them.
Maybe you have to start from scratch, find a rheumy who will record everything and go from there. I am thinking, that you will need a doctor to offically diagnose you with RA and go from there.
Good luck to you.

Debbie

Thankyou, the doctors say they only have to keep records for between 5 and 7 yrs (specialty dependant). I was in remission up until roughly 2 yrs ago, for about 5 yrs (i swear the hormones in pregnancy help RA by loosening the joints). Even though there were at least 7 yrs of treatment prior to that, none of the records are inside the 7 yr window. (Does anyone know if they are held anywhere? Would freedom of information application help? I had started with a new Rheumy, but don't have the funds to see her again. I have got an appointment with a free clinic later this month and am hoping things go well then. I have heard nice things about them.
I know the [censored] sods in the waiting room are beneath my notice, I'm just not yet quite comfortable enough with the whole disability tag thing. People like that are merely ignorant of understanding, they were even 'immitating' 'foreigners coming here to take money and send it back home' in response to an add offering immigrant assistance. They bring us shame, perhaps we could set up some kind of international swap program...

I was rather nervous at the interview but found as Steve said they just need to dot the i's and cross the t"s
Although I'm from WA originally now on the Gold Coast I've found Centrelink here just as helpful as on both sides of the country.